International Development Minister congratulates JTS on “MOST ETHICAL RICE”

The smallholder rice farmers in Northern Malawi have just achieved the impossible. Against competition from key brands sold in the UK, Ethical Consumer magazine has just awarded the rice that they grow on their single-acre plots, and which is imported by JTS (Just Trading Scotland) to its warehouse in Paisley, the accolade of the most ethical rice you can buy. It has won Great Taste awards as well – you can enjoy the taste and feel good while eating it!

Scotland’s International Development Minister Ben Macpherson said: “Congratulations to JTS on being awarded the ‘most ethical rice in the UK’. This is a tremendous accolade and I commend everyone involved in achieving it. I am also pleased that the Scottish Government has been able to support their work through the Malawi Development Programme.”

Mary Popple, the new Chairperson of JTS, welcomed the news “We are delighted that Kilombero rice has come out on top. The combination of our very strong direct link with the farmers, encouragement in sustainable working practices, and our particular support of women farmers has helped us achieve this great result. We are extremely proud of this brilliant news and hope that it will enable us to grow the market for these Great Taste Award winning products.”

Tracy Mitchell, Business Manager at JTS, said “This is fantastic news for JTS as we celebrate 10 years of providing dignity through trade. We are grateful for the support the Scottish Government has provided for our work with the farmers in Malawi through its Malawi Development Programme and are pleased that the review by the Ethical Consumer recognised the strength of our relationship with those farmers.” Operations Manager, Martin Hamilton agreed, "It is great to have this external recognition of what we have long believed to be the case!"

The investigation by Ethical Consumer thoroughly reviewed 38 rice brands from many retailers and included an interview with Howard Msukwa the chair of the farmers’ association in Malawi. On hearing the outcome of the review Howard had this to say: "Kilombero is grown and processed by the small holder farmers of Karonga. It is grown under very hot conditions, these farmers eat only once per day as Malawi is one of the poorest countries in the world. It is our cash crop, our rescuer, our hope, our wealth. Much as we thank you who enjoy the product, we sincerely and humbly request you to whisper to your friends that " Did you know that Kilombero is the best and most ethical rice on the market?" Join the team of 'fair' people by eating Kilombero rice and your only regret will be that you didn't start eating it sooner."

Martin Rhodes, the Chief Executive of the Scottish Fair Trade Forum commented: “It is great to see this fairly traded rice imported by a Scottish-based company, JTS, coming out top in the Ethical Consumer rating. It shows the results of great partnership working by JTS and the farmers’ co-operative, KASFA, in Malawi.”

Both white and brown Kilombero rice have also won Great Taste awards and being fairly traded, the rice has empowered the rice farmers to create a brighter future for their families, giving them a more sustainable livelihood allowing them to work their way out of poverty with dignity and enabling them to send their children to school. Great Taste most certainly does change lives. The rice is available from fair trade shops throughout Scotland and online at https://www.jts.co.uk/shop/